EP0174117B1

EP0174117B1 - Dual tandem composite cylinder assembly

Info

Publication number: EP0174117B1
Application number: EP85305777A
Authority: EP
Inventors: William Dirkin; Duane Douglass; James N. Tootle; Terry L. Benton
Original assignee: Pneumo Abex Corp
Current assignee: Pneumo Abex Corp
Priority date: 1984-08-20
Filing date: 1985-08-14
Publication date: 1988-06-01
Also published as: BR8503977A; US4697499A; CA1238553A; EP0174117A1; JPH07101046B2; DE3563095D1; IL76056A0; JPS6159010A

Description

This invention relates to a dual tandem composite cylinder assembly. A composite cylinder assembly can produce a substantial reduction in weight without sacrificing strength.
Dual tandem cylinder assemblies are often used in systems for operating flight controls for aircraft and similar type applications where system redundancy is important. Typically, such a dual tandem cylinder assembly comprises a pair of hydraulic chambers in series having respective pistons connected to a common ram output rod for common movement therewith. In service, the two chambers may be used in tandem, or independently, to extend or retract the rod, or to provide a compressive or tension load within the cylinder assembly.
Heretofore, in order to ensure that the cylinder assembly had the necessary strength and because of manufacturing considerations, it was the usual practice to make the cylinder out of a monolithic metal piece, which not only added considerably to the weight of the cylinder assembly in the highly stressed areas, but also in the relatively unstressed areas as well.
It is known from US-A-4,189,985 to provide a fluid actuator including a glass filament reinforced composite cylinder comprised of axial warp yarns and circumferential filling yarns.
According to the present invention there is provided a dual tandem composite cylinder asembly comprising a cylinder including a pair of hydraulic chambers in series, said hydraulic chambers having end wall members at the opposite ends of said cylinder and a centre gland therebetween, characterized in that each said hydraulic chamber has respective separate first and second cicumferential hoop stress windings surrounding same, said first circumferential windings extending axially between opposed surfaces on one of said end wall members and one end of said centre gland, and said second circumferential windings extending axially between opposed surfaces on the other of said end wall members and the other end of said centre gland, longitudinal tension windings extending substantially the entire length of said cylinder outwardly of said circumferential windings and substantially completely covering said circumferential windings and said hydraulic chambers therebeneath, and securing means for securing said longitudinal tension windings to said end wall members at opposite ends of said cylinder.
Two embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a dual tandem composite cylinder assembly in accordance with this invention;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the cylinder assembly of Figure 1 as seen from the plane of the line 2-2 thereof;
Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section through the cylinder assembly of
Figure 2, taken on the plane of the line 3-3 thereof;
Figures 4 and 5 are fragmentary transverse sections through the cylinder assembly of Figure 1, taken on the plane of the lines 4-4 and 5-5, respectively; and
Figure 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through another embodiment of a dual tandem composite cylinder assembly in accordance with this invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and initially to Figures 1-3, there is shown one embodiment of a dual tandem composite cylinder assembly 1 in accordance with this invention, which generally comprises a cylinder body 2 containing a pair of hydraulic chambers 3, 4 in series and having respective pistons 5, 6 connected to a common ram output rod 7 for common movement therewith. In service, the two chambers 3, 4 may be used in tandem, or independently, to extend or retract the rod, or provide a compressive or tension load. The outermost end of the rod 7 is able to be attached to a moveable part to be actuated, whereas the inboard end of the cylinder 2 has a suitable mount such as a clevis attachment 9 connected thereto for attaching the cylinder body 2 to a stationary part of the device to be actuated.
As described in more detail hereafter, the hydraulic cylinder 2 utilizes directional composites which allow for separation of load paths, including circumferental or hoop stress windings to react the circumferential loads, longitudinal windings to react the axial loads which the cylinder must contain, and compressive load windings to carry compressive loads generated in the cylinder.
As clearly shown in Figue 3, the two hydraulic chambers 3, 4 (which are hereafter referred to as the head end chamber and rod end chamber, respectively) are separated by a centre gland or dam 12 havinag a central opening 14 therethrough for the output rod 7, with suitable seals 15 therebetween.
The cylinder 2, rather than being made of the usual monolithic steel construction, is of a composite construction as aforesaid including separate circumferential or hoop stress windings 20, 21 surrounding the respective hydraulic chambers 3, 4 which react with circumferential loads generated in each chamber. The hoop stress windings 20, 21 are desirably made of a suitable composite fibre such as a high modulus graphite filament wound fibre which has a relatively high tensile strength to weight ratio to carry the hoop loads and prevent diametrical expansion of the cylinder 2 when high pressure fluid is admitted to either end of each chamber 3, 4 during extension and retraction of the rod 7. The fibres are impregnated with a suitable resin such as epoxy, polyester, polyimide, etc.
Each hydraulic chamber 3, 4 is also desirably lined with a respective sealing, wear resistant liner member 22, 23 which defines the inner wall of the respective hydraulic chamber. The liner members 22, 23 are preferably of relatively small thickness and are preferably made of a relatively light weight metal such as aluminum which acts as a barrier to the hydraulic fluid, sealing the hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic chambers 3, 4. The liner members 22, 23 may also be made of other materials such as wear resistant plastics or stainless steel if desired. Moreover, in certain applications the liner members 22, 23 may be eliminated altogether.
Each of the liner members 22, 23 is desirably formed as a separate piece completely independent of the various other parts of the assembly, for a purpose to be subsequently described. The ends of the liner members 22, 23 nearest each other and circumferential windings surrounding same extend over a portion of the exterior length of the opposite ends of the centre gland 12, with suitable seals 28, 29 between the centre gland 12 and each liner member 22, 23 to prevent fluid leakage therepast.
Attached to the rod end 30 of the cylinder 2 is an end wall or gland 32 through which the rod 7 extends, with suitable seals 31 therebetween. The outboard end of the liner member 23 surrounding the rod end chamber 4 and hoop stress windings 21 thereabout extend over a portion of the exterior length of the end gland 32, with suitable seals 33 between the end gland 32 and liner member 23.
At the head end 35 of the cylinder 2 is a metal end wall or fitting 36 which provides a closure for the head end chamber 3. Attached to the head end fitting 36 is a suitable attachment for the cylinder 2 which could be a clevis attachment 9 as shown or a simple bearing, etc. The head end fitting 36 may also include suitable porting 37 (see Figures 1 and 2) to the head end extend chamber 38 (Figure 3) as well as any internal position feedback electronics as may be required for monitoring the position of the ram output rod 7. In the embodiments disclosed herein, a position transducer or sensor 40 is shown extending through a central aperture 41 in the head end fitting 36 into the inboard end of the hollow output rod 7, with suitable seals 42 between the sensor 40 and fitting 36 to prevent fluid leakage through the opening 41.
Adjacent the axial inner end of the fitting 36 is a cylindrical surface 45 over which the inboard end of the liner member 22 surrounding the head end chamber 3 and circumferential windings 20 wrapped therearound extend, with suitable seals 46 between the liner members 22 and fitting 36.
The rod end gland 32 is retained at the outboard end of the rod end chamber 4 by connecting same to a metal end ring 47 which is incorporated into the composite cylinder structure as described hereafter. The metal end gland 32 may be secured to the metal end ring 47 in any suitable manner, for example, by a screw-threaded connection or by means of a retaining wire 48 as shown. The retaining wire 48 may be removed by unscrewing a nut 49 in the outer end of the end gland 32 and removing an end plate 50 which prevents the end gland 32 from being drawn into the rod end chamber 4 during retraction of the rod 7. The end plate 50 may include a retract pressure port 52 which communicates with the rod end retract chamber 53 through a passage 54 in the end gland 32. Removal of the retaining wire 48 permits removal of the metal end gland 32 for changing the seals 31 and 33 and also permits removal and replacement of the rod end liner 23 to provide for refurbishment of the rod end chamber.
Likewise, the centre gland or dam 12 may be held in place by a retaining wire 55 which is seated in a metal centre ring 56 incorporated into the composite cylinder structure as described hereafter. The retaining wire 55 for the centre gland 12 may be wound in through a hole 57 in the cylinder wall as shown in Figure 5 and removed therefrom to permit removal of the centre gland 12 for changing the seals 15, 28, 29 and to permit removal and replacement or refurbishment of the head end liner member 22 and associated seals 46 between the head end fitting 36 and head end liner member 22. The provision of a removable liner member also has application to a single.composite cylinder assembly to permit changing of seals and refurbishment of cylinder liner member.
The centre ring 56 desirably has an internal counterbore 60, 61 in opposite ends thereof for receipt of the adjacent ends of the respective liner member 22, 23 and circumferential windings 20, 21 surrounding same. Also, the rod end ring 47 has a shoulder 62 which extends radially outwardly beyond the adjacent end of the rod end liner member 23, and the rod end circumferential windings 21 desirably extend radially outwardly substantially the full radial extent of the rod end ring shoulder 62 to eliminate any step therebetween as shown in Figure 3.
The head end fitting 36 has a shoulder 63 which extends slightly radially outwardly beyond the adjacent end of the head end liner member 22 and surrounding circumferential windings 20 to provide a reaction surface for engagement by one end of compressive cylinder composite windings 65 wound on the outside of the head end circumferential windings 20 for a purpose to be subsequently described. The compressive cylinder composite windings 65 are wound from low angle helical fibres and extend from the shoulder 63 on the head end fitting 36 to an opposed end wall 66 in axial alignment therewith on the metal centre ring 56 radially outwardly of the counterbore 60 therein.
Extending over substantially the entire length of the cylinder 2 radially outwardly of the compressive cylinder composite windings 65 surrounding the head end chamber 3 and radially outwardly of the circumferential windings 21 surrounding the rod end chamber 4 are one or more layers of longitudinal tension windings 70 which substantially completely cover the outer surface of the cylinder. These longitudinal tension windings 70 are also desirably made of suitable composite fibres having the required high tensile strength to weight ratio such as high modulus graphite filament wound epoxy impregnated fibres which may be protected from handling damage by a thin layer of fiberglass reinforced composite. The rod end ring 47 desirably has an external tapered surface 72 facing outwardly of the rod end which is engaged by the outboard ends of the longitudinal tension windings 70 and attached thereto by circumferential windings 73 which are preferably interspersed between each layer of longitudinal tension windings 70 as shown.
Likewise, the longitudinal tension windings 70 are desirably attached to the centre ring 56 intermediate the ends of the longitudinal tension windings by providing an external tapered surface 75 on the metal centre ring 56 facing the rod end of the cylinder which is engaged by the longitudinal tension windings 70 and attached thereto by circumferential winding 76 which are also desirably interspersed between each layer of longitudinal tension windings 70.
The centre gland 12 desirably contains two isolated hydraulic pressure passages 80, 81 (see Figures 3 and 4). Passage 80 is for admitting (and venting) retract pressure to the head end retract chamber 82, whereas passage 81 is for admitting (and venting) extend pressure to the rod end extend chamber 83. Hydraulic pressure may be supplied to the passages 80, 81 through a hydraulic service manifold (not shown) which may be attached to the cylinder 2 using a manifold attachment 85 placed over the centre dam area exteriorly of the longitudinal tension fibers 70. The outer cylinder wall may be.built up in the region of the centre dam area using circumferential windings 86 to provide a substantially cylindrical surface 87 for supporting the saddle portion 88 of the manifold attachment 85. Circumferential windings 89 are then desirably wound around opposite ends of the manifold attachment an cylinder wall in order to react any separation loads acting on the manifold attachment. Stand- pipes 91, 92 may be inserted into the passages 80, 81 from the exterior of the cylinder to facilitate making the connections to the hydraulic service manifold.
Of course, in order to allow for removal of the liner members 22, 23 and centre gland 12 and associated seals, the circumferential hoop stress windings and longitudinal tension windings as well as the compressive cylinder composite windings must be wound on a mandrel or other suitable device which also supports the end wall fitting 36 and centre and end rings 56 and 47. The resulting assembly is then removed from the mandrel and placed in an oven and heated to a temperature sufficient to cause the windings to bond to each other.
Thereafter, the removable liner members 22, 23 and centre gland 12 and associated seals as well as the pistons 5, 6 and output rod 7 may be inserted into the assembly and the end gland 32 secured in place to complete the assembly.
In operation, when an extend pressure is admitted to the rod end extend chamber 83 through the associated pressure passage 81 in the centre gland 12, such extend pressure in the rod end extend chamber is reacted into the centre ring 56 surrounding the centre gland 12 and the resulting reaction force creates a compression load that is transmitted to the head end fitting 36 through the compressive cylinder composite windings 65 on the outside of the head end circumferential windings 20 where it reacts against the head end fitting and clevis attachment 9 extending therefrom.
When a retract pressure is applied to the rod end retract chamber 53 through the pressure port 52, the reaction force which appears in the rod end gland 32 will be transferred from the rod end gland first to the rod end ring 47 and then to the longitudinal tension windings 70 which generates a tension load in the longitudinal tension windings that is reacted through these windings back to the head end fitting 36 and thus to the support structure to which the head end fitting is connected.
Similarly, when a retract pressure is applied to the head end retract chamber 82 through the associated pressure passage 80, such pressure is reacted to the centre ring 56 surrounding the centre gland 12 and is transferred to the longitudinal tension fibres 70 at the point of attachment of the longitudinal tension fibres 70 to the centre ring by the circumferential windings 76 which generates a tension load in the longitudinal tension windings that is reacted back to the head end fitting 36.
Alternatively, additional compressive cylinder composite windings 95 may be provided on the outside the rod end circumferential windings 21' of the modified form of dual tandem cylinder assembly 96 shown in Figure 6 for transmitting a compression load from the centre ring 56' to the rod end ring 47' which generates a tension load in the longitudinal tension fibres 70' at their point of attachment to the rod end ring. This will eliminate the need for having to provide a middle joint attachment between the longitudinal tension fibres 70' and centre ring 56', which would be particularly applicable to a shorter dual tandem cylinder. In that event, the external tapered surface may be eliminated from the centre ring 56', whereby the exterior surface 97 of the centre ring 56' may be substantially cylindrical as further shown in Figure 6. Also, the shoulder 62' on the rod end ring 47' of the dual tandem cylinder assembly 96 embodiment shown in Figure 6 desirably extends slightly radially outwardly beyond the circumferential windings 21' to provide a reaction surface for engagement by one end of the compressive cylinder composite windings 95. The other end of the composite cylinder compressive windings 95 desirably engages an opposed end wall 98 on the centre ring 56' in coaxial alignment therewith. Otherwise, the details of construction and operation of the dual tandem composite cylinder assembly 96 shown in Figure 6 are substantially the same as those shown in Figures 1-5, and the same reference numerals followed by a prime symbol are used to designate like parts.
From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a dual tandem composite cylinder assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention provides a relatively light weight, low cost, envelope efficient design which achieves strength and durability. Also, such a design allows for changing of the seals and removable liner members for refurbishment of the cylinder assembly.
In addition to the foregoing, ballistic tolerance of the dual tandem composite cylinder assembly is achieved through the frangibility of the composite cylinder structure. In a conventional metal dual tandem cylinder, a substantial metal burr will be raised through passage of a ballistic projectile through one of the hydraulic chambers. Thus, not only will the projectile incapacitate the hydraulic actuator system, such projectile will also cause the hydraulic piston rod to interfere and jam on the metal burr, which will defeat both of the redundant hydraulic systems.
A projectile passing through either of- the hydraulic chambers of the present invention, on the other hand, will not raise a metal burr in the composite cylinder. Rather, such projectile will leave multitudes of "loose ends" created by the projectile passing through the windings of fibre material. These loose ends are easily sheared off by the force available from the other hydraulic system, thus preventing a jam of the other hydraulic system. Moreover, even when the dual tandem composite cylinder assembly includes metal liner members, the burr that is created by a projectile passing through one of the liner members would still be relatively easily sheared off by the associated piston and would not impede piston movement caused by the force available from the other hydraulic system.
The relative superior damage tolerance aspects of directional composite windings will also generally guarantee an adequate residual load path after there has been ballistic damage to one of the hydraulic chambers. A rupture or tear through one of the chamber walls will normally be radial. Accordingly, the circumferential hoop stress windings will normally prevent the-tear or rupture from taveling radially outward, whereby the cylinder assembly will still be capable of transmitting axial tension loads.

Claims

1. A dual tandem composite cylinder assembly (1, 96) comprising a cylinder (2) including a pair of hydraulic chambers (3, 4) in series, said hydraulic chambers (3,4) having end wall members (32, 36) at the opposite ends of said cylinder (2) and a centre gland (12) therebetween, characterized in that each said hydraulic chamber (3, 4) has respective separate first and second circumferential hoop stress windings (20, 21) surrounding same, said first circumferential windings (20) extending axially between opposed surface on one of said end wall members (36) and one end of said centre gland (12), and said second circumferential windings (21) extending axially between opposed surfaces on the other of said end wall members (32) and the other end of said centre gland (12), longitudinal tension windings (70) extending substantially the entire length of said cylinder (2) outwardly of said circumferential windings (20, 21) and substantially completely covering said circumferential windings (20, 21) and said hydraulic chambers (3, 4) therebeneath, and securing means (73) for securing said longitudinal tension windings (70) to said end wall members (32, 36) at opposite ends of said cylinder (2).

2. A dual tandem composite cylinder assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which said end wall members (32, 36) have external tapered surfaces (72) facing in opposite directions for engagement by said longitudinal tension windings (70), and said securing means (73) affixes said longitudinal tension windings (70) to the respective end wall members (32, 36).

3. A dual tandem composite cylinder assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, including an attachment means (56, 75, 76) for attaching said centre gland (12) to said longitudinal- tension windings (70), said attachment means (56, 75) comprising a centre ring (56) surrounding said centre gland (12) and secured thereto, and additional means (75, 76) for attaching said longitudinal tension windings (70) to the exterior surface of said centre ring (56).

4. A dual tandem composite cylinder assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which said centre ring (56) has an internal counterbore (60, 61) in each end for receipt of the adjacent ends of said circumferential windings (20, 21), and each of said end wall members (32, 36) has a radial shoulder (62, 63) for engagement by the opposite end of the respective circumferential windings (20, 21).

5. A dual tandem composite cylinder assembly as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, in which said centre ring (56) has an external tapered surface (75) facing one end of said cylinder (2) which is engaged by said longitudinal tension windings (70) intermediate the ends thereof, and said longitudinal tension windings (70) are affixed to said external tapered surface (75) on said centre ring (56).

6. A dual tandem composite cylinder assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, including compressive cylinder composite windings (65) located between said longitudinal tension windings (70) and one of said circumferential windings (20), said compressive cylinder composite windings (65) extending axially between opposed surfaces (63, 66) on one of said end wall members (36) and said centre gland (12, 56).

7. A dual tandem composite cylinder assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, including separate liner members (22, 23) lining each of said hydraulic chambers (3, 4) radially inwardly of each of the respective circumferential windings (20, 21 and seals (29, 33 and 28,46) between said end wall members (32, 36) and centre gland (12) and the opposite ends of said liner members (22, 23).

8. A dual tandem composite cylinder assembly as claimed in claim 7, including an attachment means (47-50) for removably attaching one of said end wall members (32) at one end of said cylinder (2) to permit removal of said one end wall member (32) therefrom for removal and refurbishment of one of said liner members (23) and replacement of the associated seals (29, 33).

9. A dual tandem composite cylinder assembly as claimed in claim 8, including an additional attachment mechanisms (55, 56) for removably attaching said centre gland (12) internally within the axial centre of said cylinder (2) to permit removal of said centre gland (12) and said other liner member (22) for refurbishment and replacement of said other liner member (22) and the associated seals (28, 46).

10. A dual tandem composite cylinder assembly as claimed in claim 6, in which there are separate compressive cylinder composite windings (65', 95) between longitudinal tension windings (70') and each of said circumferential windings (20', 21'), said compressive cylinder composite windings (65', 95) extending axially between opposed surfaces on each of said end wall members (32', 36') and said centre gland (12').